Correlation between sonography and antibody activity in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Radiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Hashimoto thyroiditis involves thyroid structural changes detectable by ultrasound.
• Assessing the correlation between sonographic findings and antibody activity is crucial for diagnosis and management.
• A standardized classification system can improve clarity of sonographic assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between sonographic criteria and antibody activity in Hashimoto thyroiditis.
• To evaluate the role of sonography in diagnosing and monitoring Hashimoto thyroiditis.
• To introduce and validate the VESINC classification system for sonographic findings.

Main Methods:

• Included 223 patients with diagnosed Hashimoto thyroiditis.
• Measured thyroid function tests and antibody levels (TgAbs, TPOAbs).
• Performed sonography using a strict protocol and assessed sonographic variables against antibody activity using the VESINC system.

Main Results:

• Hypoechogenicity, heterogeneity, and pseudonodular hypoechoic infiltration significantly correlated with higher antithyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) activity.
• No significant correlations were found between other sonographic variables (cysts, nodules, volume) or biometric data and TPOAb or anti-thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) levels.
• TgAb levels did not show significant correlations with any sonographic variables.

Conclusions:

• Sonography is a valuable noninvasive tool for assessing inflammatory activity in Hashimoto thyroiditis.
• Decreased echogenicity, heterogeneity, and pseudonodular hypoechoic infiltration indicate high inflammatory activity.
• The VESINC system provides a rapid, objective method for comparing sonographic findings during patient follow-up.